Captain's Corner: Game-fish action excels on local flats

What's hot: With no major cold fronts, game-fish action continues to be good on local flats. Sea trout are starting to show up, from the flats around the barrier islands to the mouths of creeks and rivers. There has been action on the east sides of both Anclote Key and Three Rooker Bar, at high and low tides. On major low tides, look for them in and around the dropoffs. Look for patchy grass with big sand holes. On higher tides, the fish have been moving closer to the islands, sometimes in less than a foot of water. In these areas you might catch a few giant redfish as well. Most of the action as been on artificial baits, such as a one-eighth ounce jig with a plastic grub tail, hard plastic crank baits and soft plastic jerk baits. If you find a big school of trout, you can switch to live bait such as large live shrimp or small pinfsh.

Wade fishing: This might be the best time of the year for anglers without a boat. The Anclote Power Plant is a great place to start. You might need to work at it because it is not always good. If you are not catching anything, ask some of the other anglers.